The director of Tonga's Meteorological Service says the country lacks the capacity and resources to respond quickly to a tsunami.
Ofa Fa'anunu raised his concerns during the Pacific Meteorological Council which is underway in Nuku'alofa.
Radio Tonga reports him saying that the mobile phone systems do not give full national coverage and the national radio service shuts down between midnight and 6am.
But Mr Fa'anunu says the Tongan Met Service has conducted awareness programmes, including where to go and procedures for schools and villages.